[monumentum]

Of course I failed to mention in the previous post that I burnt my leg on the 1st day in Vietnam while riding on the bike. This was the aftermath. Feel like poking it, don't you? Then, I was tempted to too. Anyway it left behind an ugly scar - still persisting now. Those red marks arent related to the burn; some random insect bites. Fair, wasn't I?
Above is a shot I took before leaving HCMC on the "open bus" to Muine. "Open buses" are esentially tour bus packages which take you between towns/cross borders e.g. across Vietnam-Cambodian border, though not especially long journeys, of which itineries for the stops you make are solely dependent on your own liking, as long as you cover your entire journey from your origin to your ultimate destination within the period appointed by your tour agent. (I guess I failed to mention that the "guide" on the 1st day took me to get open bus ticket/flight ticket for the course of my travel too; ok probably I was a little thankful for that). Personally I like the shot above; amateurish no doubt, taken on my compact cam. So proud of him. It's nice to establish the gender of my little Kodak dear.


So these were taken on the way to Muine. "Sleeping bus" refers to the 2nd photo from the above; the interior. Sweet. The bus was so huge you couldnt really feel it was moving. One thing though, so many were complaining about the toilet being gross. So I guess it really was. It's only one shared cubicle for the entire bus's passengers, isnt surprising uh. Pity the person whose seat was beside the toilet. I made it a point to abstain from water before the trip. Thus, no toilet shots.
It's a wonder to discover things you never knew before in your life - when you travel. So I never knew how dragon fruits were grown, prior to visiting Vietnam, despite how I ate them like I knew them inside out back home. And the above shot, I snapped to ask my next guide in Muine, what actually was this plant. I'd share a close-up shot eventually, for you couldnt possibly avoid dragon fruits in Vietnam, & thus I got to see them, feel them.
I'd cut this post short & continue with a new one. Uploading photos is really.. Really a hassle! ):